Buffy the Vampire Slayer

POISON CLAN

By Bryan "Blade" Bonner

"Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and related characters are the property of Joss Whedon, Mutant Productions, 20^th Century Fox, and Warner Brothers. Original concepts of the Centipede, Snake, Scorpion, Lizard, and Toad are the property of Chang Cheh and Entertainment Programs International (EPI). All other characters and story concept is the property of the author, Bryan A. Bonner. This story is not intended for sale or commercial profit. Any unauthorized reproduction, copying, or use of any portion of this story, without the author’s express permission is prohibited. All rights reserved.

Chapter 3 – Deja Who?

As Limp Bizkit’s "Nookie" blared, nearly incoherently from the portable stereo contained deep within the undead pack surrounding her used 1984 BMW, Buffy carefully sized up her competition. "Four guys and one girl, with uncanny sense for fashion…nice boots" the tactical side of Buffy brain, pushing out extra neurotransmitters, politely set her fashion sense aside to formulate the best attack plan. Of course any good plan didn’t involve Allen getting killed.

"Can we help you folks with something?" Allen’s quick approach to the hemoglobin-challenged quintet was unexpected, something Buffy didn’t have time to consider.

"Little late to be out at night alone, just you and your" the apparent female leader paused "…girlfriend. You should be careful who you travel with, no one is ever what they seem."

"Man, I should wear a mask or something" Buffy got the distinct impression her "secret identity" was about to be blown higher than a frat boy’s blood alcohol level on a Saturday night. "Allen, why don’t you get Xander and the others. I know these guys, we go way back."

"No way Summer’s. I’m chillin’ right freakin’ here" Allen’s New Yorker resoluteness was unwavering. Buffy wasn’t going to change his mind in the next 30 seconds before things went tango-foxtrot.

"Should’ve taken your girlfriend’s advice" before Allen could finish propping himself against a nearby hydrant, the vampire foot soldier was upon him, face twisted, bearing fangs!

"What the fu…" Allen was airborne, crashing into the windshield of an unsuspecting white Camaro, before he could finish his question! The windshield buckled under the pressure of Allen’s body, rendering him instantly unconscious!

"Allen!" Seeing her "boyfriend" roll off the car’s hood, moaning unconsciously in pain gave Buffy the resolve to stand her ground. She knew Allen was still alive.

"Five against one, I guess no one ever said you undead creeps played fair" Buffy’s double spinning hook kick and jump spinning back kick returned Allen’s pain to two more demon foot soldiers, sending them careening into her car’s front bumper!

"Wouldn’t want you scratching the paint" the piercing of vampire skulls by Buffy’s double wooden throwing daggers revealed the small dent in her front bumper. "Damn, I’m late on my insurance payment this month."

"Enough" the authority in the vampire matriarch’s voice was firm, commanding the remaining foot soldiers to back away slowly.

"Cool. Do they fetch the morning paper? Oh that’s right, you’ve probably don’t read the morning paper, well with the fatal sunburn thing and all" Buffy’s signature sarcasm traditionally meant she was beginning to worry. Something was different about her well-dressed enigmatic, vampiric opponent.

"Slayer, your technique…is pretty good" the vampiress began circling Buffy, slowly, methodically, a hungry, feline predator.

"Well thanks, but how would you know about my technique? I just met you. I mean, I’m not that kind of girl" Buffy’s concern grew.

"Let’s have some fun" the circling stopped and with a deep sigh, the vampiress’ stance became confident.

"Tell me when it hurts" Buffy had wanted to use that line again for a while now. Buffy’s attack was fast, fierce. Jab, reverse punches, alternating round kicks, jumping spinning back kick all textbook perfect…ultimately utterly ineffective. Blocking every blow with one hand, the other neatly, quaintly tucked behind her back, Buffy’s new found opponent never moved a foot, shifted her weight, or changed her stance.

"Dahhhhhh…" the vampiress’ kiyup seemingly snatched away Buffy’s traditional confidence, energizing her own! Head, face, shoulders, ribs, sternum, when Buffy picked herself up from the floor, she realized her opponent had struck her five times in five seconds, she couldn’t react.

"Houston…" Buffy staggered on her feet "…we have a problem." Warping the air around them, the vampiress’ hands moved so quickly, Buffy could barely make out a two-armed blur. Chest, shoulders, neck, and ribs, Buffy was struck five more times! The corner of Buffy’s mouth began to bleed, her ribs cracked. Buffy’s slayer enhanced body would likely not survive another attack.

Allen’s body grudgingly regained consciousness. Shaking the cobwebs from his head, his still focusing vision could barely make out Buffy’s most recent round of pounding. "Buffy?!?" Allen’s legs slowly allowed him to stand, fighting him ever step of the way.

"I’m slightly disappointed Slayer, I expected a little more from the Chosen One."

"Stick around" Buffy’s head began to spin uncontrollably, her legs wobbling "I’m just getting warmed up." Buffy’s words hid barely masked her fear.

"So be it. Goodbye Slayer" the vampiress’ prepared for another round of blazing attacks.

Something, unexplainable, uncontrollable swelled within Allen’s gut. It was deep, burning, as if struggling to get out. "NO!" Allen feared his cries would be fruitless. "Renewing Phoenix reveal the power within" an inner voice screamed through his mind! Allen didn’t understand the words or what they meant, he didn’t care. Allen’s eye flashed momentarily, then like a viscous, rabid animal he was upon Buffy’s attacker!

"What…The Centipede style?!?" Buffy’s would be victor stumbled backwards, utterly surprised from Allen’s attack. Double palm heel strike to the ribs, double knife hands to the neck, high, then low side kicks, the vampiress’ was struck six times before barely regaining her balance. Responding viciously, the vampiress counter attacked. High, low, punch, kick each attack, faster than the next, each attack skillfully parried by the possessed Allen, the melee speed nearly too fast for the naked eye!

"Allen?" Returning to the land of the "cognizant", Buffy wasn’t sure whether what if the images in front of her were real or a figment of her kung fu battered imagination. Becoming surer of her surroundings, Buffy realized the remaining foot soldiers were preparing to join the fray, she knew she had to even the odds. "Now, now boys, no cheating." Unlike their leader, the foot soldiers were not nearly as fast. Several jumping front kicks, back fists, palm heel strikes, and a double staking later, Buffy insured Allen’s Saturday afternoon, kung fu theater exchanged would be uninterrupted.

Buffy was speechless. Allen’s speed, skill, and strength were a perfect match for the vampiress, each matching the other blow for blow, technique for technique. ‘Kung fu standoff’ seemed to adequately encapsulate the martial art détente between these two unlikely opponents.

"It appears the Slayer has an ally, the ancient Master’s student revealed" the vampiress suddenly stopped her attack. She paced the floor calmly. "It changes nothing. I am not alone. You may be a match for one, but all of the Poison Clan, I don’t think so. This world will be ours, its only a matter of time!" Suddenly, she vanished in a flash of light and smoke.

The reintroduction of Allen’s body to the unforgiving Sunnydale concrete street was delayed by Buffy’s timely intervention. Unfortunately, Buffy’s own weakened, bruised body only cushioned the fall. A dull ‘thud’ echoed as they both hit the ground.

"Allen" Buffy’s level of perplexity was matched only by her pain level "how did you do that? Been eating ‘Wheaties’ and watching ‘Power Rangers’ on Saturday morning again?"

"I…I…don’t know. Buffy?" The seriousness in Allen’s voice was disconcerting.

"Allen?" Buffy could see he was worried.

"You never did say why you wouldn’t date me?" Allen’s quirky smile raised Buffy’s mood. Things had just gotten a little more interesting and a lot more complicated on the Hellmouth.